Power Players in Residential Real Estate

Ken Fisher is a member of the national law firm of Cozen O’Connor. Ken’s practice concentrates on New York real estate development, zoning, litigation, and investigations.
Ken was a Member of the council from 1991-2001. He is co-chair of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce Real Estate Committee, and former chair of the City Bar Land Use Committee. Ken earned his undergraduate degree from the University of the Pacific and his law degree from Syracuse University.

What led you to get involved in the real estate industry?
Real estate is to New York what oil is to Texas! But it’s also one of the most heavily regulated industries. Since being a young lawyer, I’ve had an interest in navigating those rules. It’s very gratifying to look at skylines you helped shape, and also satisfying to help prevent a client from being strangled by red tape.

What’s your favorite neighborhood in NYC?
I’d have to say Brooklyn Heights, New York’s first historic district. It’s still predominantly charming brownstones but with development all around it, in the tech/creative hub in DUMBO, the tens of thousands of new apartments in Downtown Brooklyn, and the transformative Brooklyn Bridge Park on the East River waterfront. So some of the most dynamic areas of New York are only steps from one of the calmest.

Describe a recent project you’ve enjoyed working on.
A big focus the last few years has been helping to shape – and win approval for – the Gowanus rezoning. It will transform what has been a neglected industrial area into thousands of apartments, waterfront open space, artist studios, and galleries. My clients and I worked closely with both the City and community stakeholders, and I got to draw on all of my experience in land use, development, and even litigating against the NIMBYs.

George Fontas, founder of Fontas Advisors, has earned a reputation as an innovative leader and trusted strategist, advising clients across the real estate sector as they navigate the complexity of New York City and State. With over 15 years in government affairs, George has delivered success for more than 40 complex land use projects, including transformational developments and major rezoning throughout New York, and is heavily focused on several policy issues including Good Cause Eviction. 

What’s your favorite neighborhood in NYC?
Bay Ridge – my hometown.

Bess Freedman is not only a real estate leader, but also a champion of social change, philanthropy, and building a culture-first brokerage for agents, staff, and clients. Under Bess’ leadership, Brown Harris Stevens has grown into one of the largest privately-held real estate companies in the United States with the highest average sales price per agent in the country. Bess oversees 50+ offices and nearly 3,000 agents across New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Florida.

What led you to get involved in the real estate industry?
I got my start in real estate after years working as a Legal Aid attorney in NYC. As a new mom, I needed a more flexible schedule that would allow me to earn money and spend time with my children. It took a lot of hard work, but I was able to parlay my passion for helping people into a successful real estate career as an agent and eventually into management.

What’s your favorite neighborhood in NYC?
I think every neighborhood has something unique to offer, but I have a special place in my heart for the Upper East Side. It’s where I live and where I raised my kids. I love the people, the restaurants, the shopping – and it’s an easy commute to the office where I go everyday.

Describe a recent project you’ve enjoyed working on.
We recently celebrated the 150 year anniversary of Brown Harris Stevens with a spectacular party and over 1000 people at The Metropolitan Club in NYC – it was really special to honor this milestone together. We also recently launched our Mastery of the Craft campaign, the biggest and boldest branding initiative in the history of BHS. It was incredibly successful, and allowed us to give our history and legacy a fresh, modern edge.

Dan Garodnick, appointed by Mayor Adams, began serving as director of the Department of City Planning and chair of the City Planning Commission in February 2022. Garodnick represented the East Side of Manhattan in the City Council for 12 years, where he led the negotiations of the successful Greater East Midtown plan, and efforts to preserve affordable housing in Stuyvesant Town. Garodnick most recently served as president and CEO of the Riverside Park Conservancy.

What led you to get involved in the real estate industry?
I am drawn to the biggest challenges that shape the way people live, work, and play. From a pocket park to the biggest skyscrapers, policy makers enable them through thoughtful plans. During my time in the City Council, I learned how to drive complicated land use matters toward real results. And at City Planning, through citywide and neighborhood plans, we are creating economic opportunities, more housing, and a greener, more resilient, and safer city.

What’s your favorite neighborhood in NYC?
Hands down, Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper Village, the neighborhood where I was born and raised.

Describe a recent project you’ve enjoyed working on.
As we come out of the pandemic, there are lots of questions about the future of office work, and what to do with vacant space. I recently tackled those questions with a group of experts, and developed office conversion plans that will likely create units for 40,000 people in the next decade. With these changes, we’re meeting the moment – not only ensuring the continued success of our commercial districts, but creating urgently needed housing.

Liz Gehringer is the president of Coldwell Banker Affiliate Business and chief operating officer of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC, consisting of a franchise network of more than 1,400 affiliated company offices in the U.S. and 628 international operating offices. She oversees the brand’s franchise operations, field services, events, international business and the Coldwell Banker and Coldwell Banker Commercial affiliate networks.

A born and bred New Yorker, Ethan Geto is a trusted advisor and strategist for Fortune 500 companies, issue advocacy coalitions, real estate developers, and not-for-profit institutions on government affairs, community relations, and strategic communications. Previously, Ethan served at high levels in city, state and federal government – including as NYC Assistant Commissioner of Buildings, legislative aide on Capitol Hill and Senior Policy Advisor to a NYS Attorney General and a Borough President. 

What led you to get involved in the real estate industry? 
I’ve been involved in social justice activism and politics since my teens in the Bronx. Growing up in a time of turmoil and transition inspired an appreciation for urban planning that strengthens equity and the fabric of communities. A career in government and as a policy consultant has conferred a priceless opportunity to help our city overcome challenges and continue to thrive. Projects our firm helps bring to fruition can last for generations.  

What’s your favorite neighborhood in NYC? 
I’m a child of the Bronx and spent my adult years in Chelsea and the Village, where I’ve been involved in civic life, including working to create a striking AIDS Memorial honoring the resiliency of the LGBTQ+ community and the sacrifices of selfless caregivers. Over the last decade, I’ve spent a great deal of time in Gowanus, Brooklyn, which continues to delight with its dynamic mix of culture, engaged residents, artisanal enterprises and energetic nonprofits.

Describe a recent project you’ve enjoyed working on. 
Partnering with a broad community coalition in Gowanus to hasten a long-overdue environmental cleanup, ensure the creation of more new affordable housing than in any City rezoning, and nurture the arts has been a truly fulfilling experience. In Manhattan, I’m very excited to be helping establish the American Museum of LGBTQ+ History & Culture, the first such museum in the nation. 

Esteban Giron is a tenant organizer with the Crown Heights Tenant Union, an autonomous union in Crown Heights, Brooklyn now celebrating its ten year anniversary. He serves on the Tenants PAC Board of Directors and the BK CB9 Land Use Committee. Esteban has spent the past decade fighting landlords, developers, politicians, and others who want to profit from the displacement of his neighbors, and looks forward to another decade of this work.

What led you to get involved in the real estate industry?
I saw that to succeed in keeping my neighbors housed, I needed to act across multiple fronts. That meant hopping on a bus to Albany to lobby for stronger tenant protections, engaging in my local community board to fend off the luxury development that would displace us, navigating housing court with my most vulnerable neighbors, and getting our message heard through the media.

Describe a recent project you’ve enjoyed working on.
I’m proud of the work CHTU, BED and other tenant-led groups did in preventing covid-era evictions. We saved lives and proved that an #EvictionFreeNY is possible. We accomplished this through both legislation and direct eviction defense. As a member of coalitions like Right to Counsel and Housing Justice for All, CHTU is now fighting for policies like Good Cause Eviction and the Winter Eviction Moratorium, working towards a city free of evictions, dispossession, and homelessness.

Lisa Gomez brings 30 years of experience in real estate development and finance to her position as L+M Development Partners’ Chief Executive Officer. She oversees the day-to-day operations of the company and its construction and property management subsidiaries. Lisa leads the company’s growth strategy and has positioned L+M as a nationally recognized affordable housing developer. She has been with L+M for more than 15 years.

Teresa Gonzalez is a partner at Bolton St. Johns. In 2019, she was recognized by the NYC Hispanic Chamber of Commerce as a “Women in Business” award winner, and on City and State’s “Above & Beyond” list of women leaders of 2020. Teresa sits on the boards of ABNY, Photoville, the North Brooklyn Parks Alliance, New York Immigration Coalition, and is a member of the BRIC President’s Council and Puerto Rican Women in Action.

Ronald Greenberg is chair of Kramer Levin’s Real Estate Litigation group. For 35 years, Ron has counseled banks, developers, insurance carriers, borrowers, lenders, commercial landlords, and tenants in a wide variety of real estate and other commercial disputes. Ron is an experienced practitioner in the Commercial Division of the NY County Supreme Court, and has successfully argued dozens of appeals, including in the Second Circuit, Appellate Division, First Department, and the NY Court of Appeals.